Oxygen and air quality

How good is your air?

Our bodies can go approximately 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water, but can barely go 3 minutes without oxygen. Prana (Breathe) the vital life force that literally keeps us going. But the quality of our oxygen has often been overlooked and taken for granted - until now.

Prana flows through a network of subtle energy channels called "nadis," and it is said to interact with energy centres called "chakras" along the spine. Balancing prana in the nadis and chakras is an essential aspect of yoga practice. Yoga practices, including pranayama (breath control) and asana (postures), aim to balance and harmonise the flow of prana in the body.

Everyone needs oxygen, but the air is not the same all around the world. The air quality has a big impact on our health. Pollution and emissions have a big impact on our air quality. Inadequate ventilation and inefficient combustion can exacerbate air pollution indoors and outdoors. Agricultural practices can also impact air quality through the release of agricultural chemicals, dust, and livestock emissions.

Indoor air quality can be influenced by factors such as inadequate ventilation, use of household chemicals, tobacco smoke, mould, and volatile organic compounds emitted by building materials such as asbestos, and cleaning products. The burning of solid fuels, such as wood, coal, and biomass, for residential heating and cooking purposes can release pollutants into the air.

“Oxygen is provided to us by nature. It is the most consumed commodity, yet the most valuable.”

Ella Kissi-Debrah was the first person to have air pollution listed as a cause of death at an inquest in the UK. At the conclusion of Ella Kissi-Debrah's inquest in 2020, coroner Philip Barlow said the nine-year-old had been exposed to excessive levels of pollution before she died. Her mother has been campaigning to improve air quality ever since, and has spoken of her support for schemes like the ULEZ in London which aims to reduce pollution levels in London.

There are also monitoring schemes in place which provide you with air quality levels. Most weather apps such as BBC weather and Met office show you the score on the air quality index which will provide the levels of air pollution and air quality.

Monitoring and mitigating the sources of air pollution, implementing emission control technologies, promoting cleaner energy sources, and adopting sustainable practices are crucial steps in improving and maintaining good air quality. This can be renewable energy adoption, waste management practices, and promoting sustainable transportation.

Oxygen is provided to us by nature. It is the most consumed commodity, yet the most valuable.

We all play a role in protecting and improving air quality for the health and well-being of communities. Have you thought about the air quality around you and any changes that would help?